In the Moment... 

.  

Following on from last weeks conversations in the role play area, the Explorers Team set up a lovely 'Invitation to Learning' today. They provided real mugs, spoons, tea, coffee, sugar, milk, a variety of teapots in different sizes. The Team modelled making cups of tea and coffee and explained safety at home. They observed the children using lots of interesting vocabulary - Sizes of teapots or spoons, Numbers - 'how many sugars?', counting them into the cup. They talked about experiences from home eg. 'mummy likes tea' and so much more. This activity has been really popular today. This activity will be set up again for tomorrow and we will see where the children take it...  

Education Inspection Framework - OFSTED

Education Inspection Framework - OFSTED

In preparation for the new 'Education Inspection Framework' set to be introduced by OFSTED in September 2019, we have reviewed the recording and documentation of our 'Teaching and Learning' Programme. The new framework states 'Paperwork should not be burdensome for Early Years Practitioners'.

We have researched alternative teaching  approaches and have decided to trial 'In the Moment Planning' and 'Personalised Planning' as Ofsted inspectors will observe adult:child interactions rather than wanting to see reams and reams of paperwork.

Every child will receive extensions to learning 'In the moment' as and when they arise. These will be evident in your child's Learning Journey, Pre school profile and the 'Nursery life week by week' floor book.

If you would like further information about these exciting changes please speak to a member of the team.

Here is an example from last week. Many more to follow..... 

Shows interest in a book and passes book to a practitioner. They read story, look at pictures, sing songs relating to pages - such as ' there's a worm at the bottom of the garden'.

Invitation to learning

Next - 'Let's see if we can find some real bugs in the garden'.. 

Which then led onto the children jumping in muddy puddles together. Happy little Discoverers...  

Making Yummy Pancakes and tasting them after lunch... 

Recipe    1 Cup Flour 

                 1 Cup Milk

        1 Egg 

Whisk all ingredients together and cook in a shallow frying pan with a touch of oil 

Quality Learning Environments

The senior team from the nursery have recently attended a training course ‘Providing Quality Learning Environments’.

Research shows that busy, bright walls and colourful resources can overstimulate children and can cause;

Crankiness

Tiredness

Upset

Anger

Miscommunication

Of course stimulation is key to developing little brains and building connections that help children learn, BUT bright, busy and plastic resources are not as beneficial as open ended resources and equipment made from natural materials.

This triggered a review of our nursery equipment and resources and further research into alternative approaches to the early year’s environment.

You may have noticed subtle changes, such as neutral coloured walls, displays and the introduction of ‘every day objects’ into areas within the rooms. Now it’s time to put theory into practice!!

The power of curiosity

After researching early childhood theorists and teaching methods, we have agreed that a curiosity approach to the existing continuous provision and the successful teaching and learning programme at St Mary’s Nursery would further enhance our observation, planning and assessment process.

Over the past few weeks we have been sourcing objects that promote curiosity, awe and wonder for the children. To judge the effect and compare the use of these resources to traditional ‘toys’ we have observed small groups of children exploring these items.

This experiment has proven interesting and the quality of observations have been valuable and informative.

Staff observed the children;

Playing cooperatively and working together

Problem solving

Using their imagination

Showing persistence

Maintaining a focus for a long period of time

Showing high levels of energy and fascination

Paying attention to detail

Showing curiosity about the objects

Staff have become inspired by this approach to further enhance the quality of the environment and will introduce a ‘curiosity collection’ to each area of the pre-school room (initially) for the children to;

Explore

Investigate

Think independently

Imagine

Use initiative

Please bare us in mind when you are having a clear out at home, NO TOYS thank you. 

Every day objects – pots, pans, spoons, sieves

Home accessories – trinket boxes, brass, chrome or wooden ornaments and vases, cushions

Hair accessories – rollers, straighteners, hair brush, bobbles, hair dryers

Jewellery – bangles, necklaces, rings, jewellery boxes

Clothes – men’s ties, scarves, hats, shoes, shirts

If you have any questions about this please speak to a member of staff.

Thank you